Understanding how the bone marrow environment affects the body's fight against multiple myeloma
Tumor matrix remodeling in anti-myeloma immunity and immunotherapy
This project explores how the bone marrow environment influences the immune system's ability to fight multiple myeloma after a stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11281160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that often returns even after treatments like stem cell transplants. We believe that the bone marrow, where the cancer lives, creates conditions that help the cancer come back by weakening the immune system. Our work focuses on specific immune cells and signals within the bone marrow that seem to protect myeloma cells. We are looking at a protein called VCAN and its fragments, which might be key triggers for these immune-suppressing processes. Understanding these triggers could help us develop new ways to prevent myeloma from returning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with multiple myeloma, particularly those who have undergone or are considering autologous stem cell transplantation, might eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those not undergoing stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that strengthen the immune system's ability to fight multiple myeloma and prevent relapse after stem cell transplantation.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in cancer is recognized, this specific focus on VCAN and its fragments in post-ASCT multiple myeloma immunity represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asimakopoulos, Fotios — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Asimakopoulos, Fotios
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.